By Michael Lindsay
The Cumberland County Jets kept their undefeated start to District 6-2A soccer play rolling Friday night as they shut out cross-town rival and defending district champion Stone Memorial, 3-0.
“We try to make it just another game, but you’re playing your friends,” said CCHS head coach Cub Whitson. “The only significance is it’s a district game, and that’s what we try to stress.”
Despite the shutout win, Whitson feels the Jets left goals on the table.
“We were trying to be patient, and the chances didn’t come too often,” he said. “Possession-wise, it was pretty telling in the second half. I’m proud of how we moved the ball from front to back. Unfortunately, possession doesn’t win soccer games. You’ve got to score goals, too.”
All three of Cumberland County’s goals came in the final 6:30 of the first half.
“They were playing great defense and made it tough for us to get good looks,” Whitson said. “We were able to get one in, then the momentum rolled for the rest of the half.”
After over 30 minutes of scoreless soccer, Cumberland County’s Gabriel Alva broke the scoring drought as he found the back of the net off a rebound to give the Jets a 1-0 lead with 6:28 left in the first half.
Cumberland County tacked on their second goal with 2:22 remaining until halftime as Dominic Olson finished a shot in front of the net via an assist down the right side from Miguel Lopez to put CCHS ahead 2-0.
With time winding down in the first half, Lopez stepped up and delivered a highlight-reel goal via a free kick from the right side with less than 16 seconds left in the opening frame to give the Jets a 3-0 advantage at the break.
Cumberland County keeper Jamie Perez and the Jet defense shut out Stone Memorial in the second half to preserve the 3-0 district victory.
Friday’s victory sets up a pivotal District 6-2A showdown Tuesday evening in Crossville.
“We have DeKalb on Tuesday, and obviously, with that goal differential it’s a must-win if we want to finish first,” Whitson said. “The boys know it, and they’re hungry.”
Stone Memorial is scheduled to host Livingston Academy on Tuesday.
